BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and JD.com extend their partnership

China’s largest retailer, JD.com, will continue to support the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund into 2019, extending a partnership which started last year to help British-based talent enter the online Chinese market.

BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund and JD.com extend their partnership - Photo: Darren Gerrish.The extension will benefit 2019 Fund winners, and is designed to assist them with engaging with this complex market.

Caroline Rush, chief executive of the British Fashion Council, said: "We are delighted that JD.com are extending their support of the British Fashion Council Vogue Designer Fashion fund into 2019. This collaboration takes us into the second year of our valued partnership with JD.com which allows our British designer businesses to engage with over 300 million Chinese consumers, enabling them the vital opportunity of increasing their global footprint in China.”

Last year’s BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund was the first time the Fund collaborated with JD.com. All shortlisted designers were invited to Shanghai to present their collections to a local audience of media, retailers and industry influencers in a catwalk show organised by the e-tailer.

The 2018 recipient, Molly Goddard, also received a cash prize of £200,000 and a 12-month mentoring programme.

Last year, JD also provided sponsorship to 2015 Fund winner Mary Katrantzou and helped her launch her brand with an exclusive online store on JD.com’s dedicated luxury boutique platform Toplife.

“We believe strongly in partnering with designers throughout their careers, from helping them get their start in the industry, to entering the Chinese market and building their brands, to protecting their IP. This marks a starting point for what we expect to be a deep, long-term relationship with the British fashion community,” said Xia Ding, President of JD International Fashion.